SHIRLEY MUELLER, MD

The American dollar is worth roughly 82% more now than its average compared to the Mexican Peso from 1972 to 2015. This makes for some choice bargains in Mexico for Americans.

In behavioral studies, men and women are known to rate the beauty of artistic and decorative stimuli in different ways. Although this tendency is recognized, the reason why is not.

Some brokerages receive "order flow payments" in exchange for routing trades to certain exchanges. This practice is a major money-maker for brokers, but some worry it comes at the expense of clients.

Earlier studies indicated that money can't buy contentment. More recent research suggests that this is only partially true.

Singapore is known as the Lion city. Consistent with this symbol, some project that investment in Singapore will roar going forward.

Investors in actively managed funds are losing money compared to those in passively managed funds. They are virtually throwing money away. The question is: Are you?

What happens when an art dealer is confronted with evidence his product is a fake? Will he return the buyer's money, or insist on the piece's authenticity?

The new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada is exclusively dedicated to the arts of Muslim civilizations. It is the only one of its kind in the Americas.

A new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City displays Cubist art. Science helps us understand why we see what we see.

Stepping back in time in Haarlem is easy, cost effective, and exceptionally delightful. It belongs on the bucket list!

According to many experts, 50% of the art on the market is fake. This gives us a moment for pause.

As the name suggests, Robo-advisors are not going to provide warm and fuzzy service like the human advisors to which investors are accustomed. But, Robos are less expensive, which brings up this question, "Can investors give up the good feelings a mortal imparts in exchange for paying less?"

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 9.4% of active reverse mortgages were in default in 2012. That is 54,000 homes with the head of household over 62 years of age.

How much cash should be invested depends on portfolio size, age, and expected longevity. One or more of these factors is often ignored when suggestions are general and not specifically tailored for an individual.

Though it is clear that other countries have problems like the United States, sometimes it takes a visit to a foreign nation to find out how dire the situation is elsewhere (and probably lots of other elsewheres).

We saved money during our August trip to Southern Holland by staying in Haarlem. The hotels in Haarlem are less expensive than Amsterdam and it is only a short train ride away. At the same time, it is easy to get to The Hague from Haarlem as well.

Shirley Mueller, MD, continues her Baltic travels with a trip to Latvia's capital, Riga. There, she finds a city where everything feels just a bit out of whack.

There are many reasons to visit the Baltic States. One is that they are oozing with history and beauty. Another is that they are good value. And lastly, it is interesting to see what these tiny nations are like today after years of domination, the last being Soviet and brutal.

The northern-most of the 3 Baltic countries, Estonia is the most prosperous. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, definitely deserves its UNESCO World Heritage site designation.

The 401(k) retirement accounts of many employees are going up in smoke due to excessive fees charged by their investment company. Unless this can be rectified through legislation, higher earners may end up paying for the shortfall later.

There's one important thing to remember about Helsinki while planning for a trip: it's expensive. However, there is a lot to see and do.

The Artist's Colony is a must-see attraction; for travelers near Southern Germany, Mathildenhöhe is an open air Art Noveau museum that delights.

Where there is money to be made, there is fraud. And, it comes in every imaginable shape and form, not just in the financial industry.

At a time when more investors are taking charge of their own financial futures and ditching advisors, a survey indicates advisors are actually making more money.

Keep in mind that service providers, like financial advisors or real estate brokers, have interests beyond your own, and emotions often affect transactions.

Fees paid by investors to their investment management companies decrease the bottom line. Nowhere is this practice of charging large and unnecessary fees more repugnant than with 401(k)s.

Patients feel physicians, and the medical system in general, are unsympathetic as they tolerate hurtful procedures. As it turns out, research suggests they are more right than wrong.

If you're looking to get into the art investment market, now might not be the best time. But for those with art already in their collections, this is the opportune time to sell.

By employing various gifting strategies, a couple can transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars tax free out of their estate to the benefit of their loved ones. It is unlikely that most readers have the resources to do all of it, but making just some moves is worthwhile.

Productivity is rewarded in our society. This and other factors lead to overwork and, when in the extreme, a workaholic. Among doctors, up to 25% have this condition.